If you like music, podcasts, or just want good sound while you drive, the speakers that come with your car might not be the best. Most stock systems aren’t made to sound great; they’re made to be cheap. The good news? Changing your car speakers can make a big difference and completely change how you feel while you’re driving. It’s also easier and faster than you think. Here’s a simple guide in this article for making the stock speakers in your car sound better.
Know Why You Should Upgrade
Speakers that come from the factory are usually made of cheap parts like paper cones and plastic covers. They break down over time, leading to distortion, weak bass, and poor clarity. Higher-quality materials like plastic, Kevlar, or silk are used in aftermarket speakers, which means they sound better, last longer, and have stronger bass.
When you upgrade, you get:
- Better sounds
- More powerful and punchy bass
- A bigger soundstage
- Better hearing experience all around
This improvement is well worth the money if you spend a lot of time in your car. You can check out the best replacement speakers for home audio in 2025 for comparison if you’re thinking of upgrading more than just your car audio system.
Choose the Right Speaker for Your Setup
Take some time to do some work before you go to the store.
Types of Speakers and Their Sizes
Each type of car has its own speaker sizes and fixing depths. Find the right sizes for your car by looking at the instructions or using online fitting tools. 6.5-inch, 5.25-inch, and 6×9-inch speakers are all popular sizes.
Type of Speaker: Component vs. Coaxial
The easiest speakers to set up are coaxial speakers, which are also called full-range speakers. The bass-reflexing woofer and the high-frequency resonating speaker are both built into one unit.
The music quality is better with component speakers. The sound is better because the tweeters and woofers are physically separated, but they are harder to set up.
Go with coaxial if you just want to make things better. If you want quality sound and don’t mind a little extra work, go for component setups.
Managing Power and Being Sensitive
Make sure that the speaker can handle the same amount of power (in watts RMS) as your car’s head unit or amplifier. Another important factor is the sensitivity rating. Speakers with a sensitivity rating of over 90dB are more efficient and work well with systems that don’t have as much power.
Get Ready for the Installation
To prevent any electricity problems, disconnect the car battery before you start the engine. After that, carefully take off the speaker covers or door panels. Don’t damage the trim; instead, use the panel removal tool.
When you take something apart, take pictures. They will help you remember where everything goes when you put it back together.
Once you can see the speaker, carefully take it off. Most factory speakers are held in place with plastic clips or simple screws.
Think About Upgrading Other Parts
If you really want to get the most out of your new speakers, you might want to upgrade:
- Audio system: Most factory stereos don’t give off enough sound power. A good aftermarket audio makes the sound processing and output better.
- Add an amplifier to your system to give your speakers the clean power they need to work at their best. This is especially true for component systems.
- Subwoofer: Even if you only have a small setup, a specialized subwoofer can make a huge difference if bass is important to you.
You can make improvements over time, but changing just the speakers will make a big difference right away. If you’re considering improving your bass, check out the differences between a woofer and a subwoofer.
Make Your System Work Better
After you put in your new speakers, take some time to change the settings on your car stereo:
- Even out the fade and balance.
- You can change the high, middle, and bass to your liking.
- If you have one, use an equalizer to fine-tune the sound.
It only takes a little tuning to go from “better” to “amazing” sound quality.
Conclusion
It doesn’t have to be hard to upgrade your stock car speakers. With some careful planning and the right tools, you can make your daily drive more fun. Any trip is better with better music, whether you’re driving down the highway or stuck in traffic. For more ideas on car audio systems, check out the top 5 car replacement speakers for superior sound quality in 2025.